Syria

Ancient civilizations including the Persians, Romans, and Ottoman Turks have all ruled Syria. Muslim Arabs first settled here during the A.D. 600s establishing the Islam faith and Arabic language. Today, most people are Muslim Arabs. In this century, Turkey ruled first and then France took control. Since its independence in 1946, Syria has been one of the leaders of Arab opposition to its Jewish neighbor, Israel. Part of Syria, called the Golan Heights has been occupied by Israel since 1967. Syria has also sent troops into Lebanon, where its army tried and failed to prevent civil war...